Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council Meeting held on Thursday, 25th January, 2018, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair of Council, Councillor George Derx, made the following announcement:-

“I would like to welcome the new Ward Member for Armthorpe, Councillor Frank Tyas, to his first Council meeting following the recent By-election on 15th February 2018.”

On behalf of the Chair of the Health and Well-Being Board, Councillor Rachael Blake, the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones,made the following announcement:-

“Councils have been asked to sign up to the Motor Neurone Disease Charter. This was discussed at the Health and Well Being Board in 2015.

Motor neurone disease (MND) describes a group of diseases that affect the nerves (motor neurones) in the brain and spinal cord that tell your muscles what to do. With MND, messages from these nerves gradually stop reaching the muscles, leading them to weaken, stiffen and waste. It affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time.

The MND Charter is a statement of the respect, care and support that people living with MND and their carers, deserve and should expect.

The five points of the Charter are:-

1.          The right to an early diagnosis and information;

2.          The right to access quality care and treatments;

3.          The right to be treated as individuals and with dignity and respect;

4.          The right to maximise their quality of life; and

5.      Carers of people with MND have the right to be valued, respected, listened to and well-supported.

Since then, the Council has addressed the 5 points of the Charter and now wishes to formally adopt the Charter.  The Charter will be discussed at the Health and Wellbeing Board on 15th March, after which the Council will be signing up to the Charter. 

I am aware that Councillors including Councillor Houlbrook, have been approached by their residents to encourage their Council to adopt this Charter and I am sure that Councillor Blake would welcome residents to attend the next Health and Wellbeing Board.  Councillor Blake will keep you informed when the formal adoption by Doncaster Council has taken place.” 

Councillor Chris McGuinness, Cabinet Member for Communities, Voluntary Sector and the Environment, made the following announcement:-

“Firstly, I would like to give my thanks to all the Council staff who have worked so hard to deal with the difficult weather conditions over the past week.

The harsh conditions have had a massive impact on the Council’s key services, with the safety of our employees and residents being the ultimate priority.

One of the most important services which has been impacted by the snow has been the Recycling and Waste service.

While Suez staff tried to continue to undertake collections, ultimately the conditions made operations unsafe and the service was suspended.  This meant that no collections took place on Wednesday and Thursday, and only a limited amount took place on Friday on accessible roads.

As you are aware, the new waste collection contract is now underway, with the changeover to the new system of collections taking place this week.

As a consequence, any  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

(a)    Question from Mr. D. Wright, on behalf of ‘South Yorkshire Save Our NHS’, 15 Chantry Close, Cantley, Doncaster, DN4 6RX, to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

“My question refers to Item 5 on the agenda of the Doncaster CCG Governing Board meeting 15 February 2018, which is the minutes of the January Board meeting, paragraph 7 on pages 17/18 of the agenda pack.

This is a report by Ernst Young, which said 'The cost of delivering health and social care services is increasing and our gap will be £139.5 million by 20/21 if we do nothing'. Page 18 says that the CCG's 'total expected saving of the £139.5 million was approximately £30 million' (by 2021).

We believe that it is not possible to have a functional 'joined up' health and social care service with these proposed unattainable financial restraints.

Can you tell me what the Council's share of these 'required savings' will be and will the Mayor now change her stance to actively opposing them?”

(b)    Question from Mr. A. Ntiege, 2 South Street, Doncaster, DN4 5FH, to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

“With regards to draft BAME HNA, what specific measures are being taken by the Mayor and the Council to ensure accountability in the implementation of the recommendations from the Assessment and what are the steps taken by the Council to resolve the unemployment issues forced by BAME residents?”

(c)    Question from Mr. T. Brown, 4 West Grove, Wheatley Hills, Doncaster, DN2 5NB, to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

“Dr Suckling states “the best predictor of good health is having a good job”.

16 years on from the Professor Gus John report – Tired of Fighting, DMBC is still virtually mono cultural!

The FOI response sent to me (3.11.17) suggests that BME candidates across DMBC are still over 2 times less likely to be appointed after shortlisting than white candidates who are shortlisted.

Can you honestly explain why such racial disparities continue to exist in 2018 and articulate what actions DMBC can implement (based on best practice) to ensure that the dream of fairness within DMBC/Doncaster becomes a reality?”

(A)       Question from Mr. D. Wright, on behalf of ‘South Yorkshire Save Our NHS’, to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones.

“My question refers to Item 5 on the agenda of the Doncaster CCG Governing Board meeting 15th February 2018, which is the minutes of the January Board meeting, paragraph 7 on pages 17/18 of the agenda pack.

This is a report by Ernst Young, which said 'The cost of delivering health and social care services is increasing and our gap will be £139.5 million by 20/21 if we do nothing'. Page 18 says that the CCG's 'total expected saving of the £139.5 million was approximately £30 million' (by 2021).

We believe that it is not possible to have a functional 'joined up' health and social care service with these proposed unattainable financial restraints.

Can you tell me what the Council's share of these 'required savings' will be and will the Mayor now change her stance to actively opposing them?”

The Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, gave the following reply:-

“Thank you for your question Mr. Wright.

As you know, the Council continues to face harsh government cuts to its budget.

Over the next three years, we need to meet a further budget gap of £44million. This includes the latest savings and pressures including growth, for more Council services that provide health and social care, which are set out in more detail on pages 21 to 23 of today’s agenda.

Despite this, we have once again set out a balanced revenue budget for the coming year, which will be considered by Members today. 

Anyone who has listened to me over the last five years will know that I have time and time again set out my opposition to the ongoing Conservative austerity cuts.

I have also repeatedly criticised the Government for its failure to properly deal with social care funding.  Instead, they are pushing the burden on to local Council Tax Payers. It is a point that I will once again be making today.

Similarly, this Council has made clear our concerns about the underfunding of the NHS and the impact of not providing the NHS with the funding that it needs.

Furthermore, the Cabinet chose to note rather than support the Sustainability and Transformation Plan, because it did not make clear the impacts of the funding gap facing health services in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw.

I cannot make any clearer my opposition to the current Government’s approach to funding health and social care.

However, I will not let our opposition to Government austerity stop us from undertaking vital work to better integrate health and social care services for the benefit of local people. It is something that is clearly required, with support from health professionals and across the political party divide.

There is a very significant difference between opposing the Government’s austerity measures and getting on with the job you have been elected to do to improve the lives of local people.

For the last five years,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

Prior to Members’ consideration of the report, the Chair of Council, Councillor George Derx, reminded Members there was a legal requirement to include in the minutes, details of how each Elected Member had voted on decisions relating to the budget and level of Council Tax.  Therefore, agenda items 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 would all be subject to a recorded vote and voting preferences would be documented in the minutes.

The Monitoring Officer reported that as outlined in the various budget reports, the financial challenges faced by both this Council and indeed other Councils, were large. He explained that it was difficult to make savings on the scale required without any impact on services and residents, and there would inevitably be some impact on particular groups, including those with protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010, which are age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnerships.  The Council was not legally obligated to reject savings with negative impacts on any particular groups, but must consider carefully and with rigour the impact of its proposals on the Public Sector Equality Duty and take a reasonable and proportionate view about the overall impact on particular groups, and seek to mitigate negative impacts where possible.

The Monitoring Officer added that in this context, the Council’s proposals for achieving savings were considered to be reasonable overall and took adequate account of the duties set out under the Equality Act. He referred to Appendix L of the Budget Report (page 105 of today’s agenda) which listed those budget proposals which would require the production of Due Regard Statements and which would require further decision making prior to implementation. 

Furthermore, in relation to Item 9, the Housing Revenue Account Budget, Members would have read the comprehensive Due Regard Statement which was contained at Appendix C (page 163) of today’s agenda. The Monitoring Officer highlighted that when considering this report, Members should consider the contents of that Due Regard Statement and their obligations under the Equality Act 2010.

The Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, presented the report to Council, which sought approval of the Revenue Budget proposals for 2018/19 to 2020/21.

The Mayor stated that the proposals delivered another prudent three year financial plan aligned to the Doncaster Growing Together strategy approved by Council, which focused on protecting and improving front line services, and investing in Doncaster’s future. 

The Mayor advised that the two main changes announced by the Government since her original proposals were presented to Council were:-

·       An additional one off social care grant of £944,000, which the Council will use to reduce the saving required in relation to home care and residential care; and

·       The freedom to increase core Council Tax up to 3%. However, the Council had chosen not to do this.

The Mayor stated that, as everyone was aware, the Council continued to face a difficult financial challenge. There had been no let-up by the Conservative Government. Their  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

Council received a report which set out the Capital Programme Budget proposals for 2018/19 to 2021/22.

In presenting the report, the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, stated that despite the Government’s revenue budgets cuts, it was vital that the Council continued to invest in Doncaster’s future for the benefit of its residents and to stimulate economic growth, and job creation. She was therefore very pleased to introduce the Council’s Capital Budget proposals, which would see an estimated £349m of investment across the Borough over the period 2018/19 to 2021/22.

The Mayor reported that this year alone, £129m of spend was estimated. In particular, residents would see significant progress on a number of important projects to revitalise the Town Centre and drive forward the Borough’s economy. Key to this ambition was the Council’s schemes to progress the exciting Urban Centre Masterplan, which would help to reshape the Town Centre as a key economic driver for the Borough. It aimed to make Doncaster Town Centre a vibrant hub, with more people living and working in the area, and improvements to the leisure and culture offer.

This year, residents and businesses would see significant progress on a number of schemes, including:-

·         The regeneration of Doncaster’s historic market, focused on the redevelopment of the Grade II Listed Wool Market.

·         An improved gateway into the Town Centre at the railway station, making major improvements to the area for railway station users, and encouraging new investment in this part of town; and

·         Construction of the new Central Library, Museum and Art Gallery would commence, continuing the development of the Civic and Cultural Quarter and bringing the former Girls School site back into use, incorporating the original frontage into the new scheme.

The Mayor advised that as these schemes progressed, the Council also had a pipeline of new projects to continue the masterplan development, including Quality Streets proposals for Silver Street and Hallgate.

Elsewhere in the Borough, the Council would continue its success in using major transport schemes to deliver new jobs, economic growth and housing, including:-

·         £13.3m was earmarked for the DN7 Unity Hatfield Link Road; a new 3km road from J5, M18. It was expected to deliver 3,100 houses, 395,000m² of commercial floor space and a local centre with new retail and educational facilities over a 30 year timeframe;

·         Phase 2 of the Great Yorkshire Way would open this year, taking visitors directly to Doncaster Sheffield Airport, enabling 396,000m² of commercial development; and

·         The £10.3m A630 Westmoor Link would unlock housing and employment sites by introducing new infrastructure improvements, including high capacity junctions and widening a narrow railway bridge.

The Mayor commented that where the market had been unable to deliver on its own, the Council was stepping in to help bring new economic development schemes to fruition.  At Lakeside, the Council would develop the Herten Triangle scheme to deliver new leisure facilities with a number of restaurants, cafe and drive through units.  As well as creating new jobs for local people,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

Council received a report presented by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, Cabinet Member for Housing and Equalities, which set out the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget for the 2018/19 financial year and the medium term financial forecast for the next three years.

The Deputy Mayor informed Members that the account had a budget to break even and was targeted to have a working balance of £4.0m over the next four years.

The Deputy Mayor outlined the recommendations within the report, which included:-

·         That housing rents were decreased by 1% in 2018/19 and in 2019/20.  This decrease was a statutory change which was included within the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016. 2018/19 was the third of four years where there would be a 1% rent reduction.

·         The rent reductions had significantly reduced the resources available within the HRA but the Council was confident that it would not reduce its ability to deliver excellent value for money services to all tenants and ensure that the Council maintained the investment in tenant’s homes, especially around ensuring that they were as energy efficient as possible. The Council was also able to deliver significant fire safety improvements in its nine high rise blocks.

The Deputy Mayor expressed his disappointment that the four year rent reductions did reduce the number of new build Council houses that the Council was able to deliver, but this reduction had not stopped the Council House New Build Programme.  This decrease made a small weekly difference for tenants, but every little helped in the current economic climate.

The Deputy Mayor reported that the average rent in Doncaster would be the lowest of all Metropolitan District Councils at £69.83 per week.  Also, inflationary increases in the charges for garages and enclosed gardens were the first increase since April 2014.

He added that the HRA continued to fund £40m of investment within the Council stock during 2018/19.  The main areas of investment were fire safety works, the Council House new build programme, the regeneration of the Bristol Grove area in Wheatley, continued investment in new energy efficient boilers and heating systems and new roofs, including fascias, gutters and soffits.

Following the presentation of the Housing Revenue Account Budget proposals, Members were afforded the opportunity to comment on the report.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 21.4, a recorded vote was taken on the recommendations contained within the report, which was declared as follows:-

For - 43

The Chair of Council, Councillor George Derx, the Vice-Chair of Council, Councillor Majid Khan, the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, and Councillors Duncan Anderson, Lani-Mae Ball, Nigel Ball, Iris Beech, Joe Blackham, Rachael Blake, Nigel Cannings, Bev Chapman, Mick Cooper, Linda Curran, Susan Durant, Nuala Fennelly, Neil Gethin, Sean Gibbons, John Gilliver, Pat Haith, Rachel Hodson,

Charlie Hogarth, Mark Houlbrook, David Hughes, Eva Hughes, Ken Keegan, Jane Kidd, Nikki McDonald, Chris McGuinness, Sue McGuinness,

John McHale, Bill Mordue, John Mounsey, David Nevett, Jane Nightingale, Andy Pickering, Andrea Robinson,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

The Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, presented a report which provided details of the Strategy for the management of the Council’s finances and provided a framework for the operation of the Treasury Management function within the Council.

The Mayor explained that the Treasury Management function ensured that sufficient cash was available to meet the service requirements and the Capital Programme plans.  The Council had to ensure that it had access to money to pay its bills and it was vital that the Council managed its finances in the best interests of local residents. The Strategy proposed how the Council would take a sound and robustapproach to achieve those goals, setting out the Council’s plans for the coming three years.

It was reported that investment interest rates remained low, but forecast interest rates were due to rise over the term of the Strategy. However, the Mayor explained that despite current volatility, the general consensus was that any rises would be slow and steady.  Borrowing continued to be taken to support the Capital Programme and refinance matured loans, but this would be taken over short terms and at very low rates (less than 1.5%) to keep interest costs as low as possible.

The Mayor advised that further borrowing would be needed to help fund the Capital Programme. This would be taken when needed and at the most advantageous interest rates achievable. There were also loans totalling £32.5m expiring during 2018/19 which would require refinancing. It was further explained that the Council was required to put aside an element of General Fund capital spend in much the same way as people would pay capital off their mortgage. This was called Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP).

Following a review, the Council had amended the MRP policy to allow the Council to use the most beneficial method of MRP calculation whilst complying with revised Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regulations.

Overall the Mayor believed that this Strategy was a sensible and appropriate approach to managing the Council’s financing requirements.

Members were afforded the opportunity to comment on the Strategy.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 21.4, a recorded vote was taken on the recommendations contained within the report, which was declared as follows:-

For - 42

The Chair of Council, Councillor George Derx, the Vice-Chair of Council, Councillor Majid Khan, the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, and Councillors Duncan Anderson, Lani-Mae Ball, Nigel Ball, Iris Beech, Joe Blackham, Rachael Blake, Nigel Cannings, Bev Chapman, Mick Cooper, Linda Curran, Susan Durant, Nuala Fennelly, Neil Gethin, Sean Gibbons, John Gilliver, Pat Haith, Rachel Hodson,

Charlie Hogarth, Mark Houlbrook, David Hughes, Eva Hughes, Ken Keegan, Jane Kidd, Nikki McDonald, Chris McGuinness, Sue McGuinness,

Bill Mordue, John Mounsey, David Nevett, Jane Nightingale, Andy Pickering, Andrea Robinson, Kevin Rodgers, Dave Shaw, Derek Smith, Frank Tyas, Austen White and Sue Wilkinson.

Against - 7

Councillors Nick Allen, Jane Cox, Steve Cox,Martin Greenhalgh, R. Allan Jones, Cynthia Ransome and Jonathan Wood.

Abstain -  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

The Council considered a report, presented by the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, which set out how the Council Tax was calculated and made recommendations regarding Doncaster Council’s Council Tax requirement for 2018/19.

It was proposed that Doncaster Council’s element of the Band D Council Tax charge be increased by 3.99% for 2018/19 to £1,287.20. The proposals included an increase in the core Council Tax of 1.99%, as set out in the 2018/19 Revenue Budget and an increase in the Adult Social Care Precept of 2%.

The Mayor reported that just under 88% of domestic properties in Doncaster fell into Bands A, B and C with 59% falling in Band A. The proposals equated to a charge of £858.13for a Band A property, which was an increase of £0.63per week.

The report included an increase in Council Taxes of the Joint Authorities (South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire) which represented an overall increase of 4.33% for Doncaster residents. This meant that Doncaster would have the seventh lowest Council Tax level in the Country amongst Metropolitan and Unitary Authorities, and the lowest in South Yorkshire.

Following the presentation of the Council Tax Setting and Statutory Resolutions 2018/19 report, Members were afforded the opportunity to comment on the report.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 21.4, a recorded vote was taken on the recommendations contained within the report, which was declared as follows:-

For - 43

The Chair of Council, Councillor George Derx, the Vice-Chair of Council, Councillor Majid Khan, the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, and Councillors Duncan Anderson, Lani-Mae Ball, Nigel Ball, Iris Beech, Joe Blackham, Rachael Blake, Nigel Cannings, Bev Chapman, Mick Cooper, Linda Curran, Susan Durant, Nuala Fennelly, Neil Gethin, Sean Gibbons, John Gilliver, Pat Haith, Rachel Hodson,

Charlie Hogarth, Mark Houlbrook, David Hughes, Eva Hughes, Ken Keegan, Jane Kidd, Nikki McDonald, Chris McGuinness, Sue McGuinness,

John McHale, Bill Mordue, John Mounsey, David Nevett, Jane Nightingale, Andy Pickering, Andrea Robinson, Kevin Rodgers, Dave Shaw, Derek Smith, Frank Tyas, Austen White and Sue Wilkinson.

Against - 7

Councillors Nick Allen, Jane Cox, Steve Cox,Martin Greenhalgh, R. Allan Jones, Cynthia Ransome and Jonathan Wood.

Abstain - 0

On being put to the meeting, the recommendation contained within the report was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that the Council approve a Band D Council Tax for 2018/19of £1,287.20 for Doncaster Council services and passedthe appropriate Statutory Resolutions, as set out and recommended at Appendix B, which incorporated the Council Taxes ofthe Joint Authorities and which, taken together with Doncaster's 3.99% increase, represented a 4.33% increase from the 2017/18 Council Tax for Doncaster residents.

The Council considered a report which sought approval of an updated 2018/19 Corporate Plan, which provided a clear direction for the work of the Council for the next year.

In presenting the report, the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, reported that in September 2017, the Council and its partners launched the ‘Doncaster Growing Together’ (DGT) Plan; a new Borough Strategy for the next four years.  Delivering the Doncaster Growing Together Plan was the Council’s key priority and the Corporate Plan outlines the Council’s contribution to achieving this.

The Mayor was pleased to propose an updated plan, setting out the Council’s priorities for the coming year, which included:-

·         Delivering the Council’s major urban centre projects including:-

o   Transforming Doncaster station forecourt to provide a gateway into the Town;

o   Redevelopment of the Wool Market;

o   Commencing construction of the new central library, museum and art gallery;

o   Completion of Great Yorkshire Way Phase 2;

o   Construction of the Herten Triangle Leisure Project at Lakeside; and

o   Proposals to develop Hall Gate and Silver Street as part of the Quality Street initiative.

·         Developing an integrated Employment and Advancement Service;

·         Delivering our Social Mobility Opportunity Area action plan, including improving careers information and advice for young people; and

·         Working with Sport England to pilot improvements in physical activity across the Borough

The Mayor highlighted that a key change to the plan since last year, was the inclusion of ‘Service Standards’, reflecting what the Council needed to do well, day in, day out. As with last year, the Corporate Plan included an additional ‘Connected Council’ theme; this was to ensure that the Council continued to improve how it operated, how it dealt with continued tough financial conditions and was ready for any future challenges it may face. For example, how the Council continue to make the most of technology to provide modern, accessible services.

The Mayor commented that she was grateful to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee for considering the Plan and providing their feedback and support. 

In concluding her presentation of the report, the Mayor asked for the Council’s support for the updated Corporate Plan, in order to focus the Council’s efforts over the next year to improve quality of life for residents in the Borough.    

Following the presentation of the report, Members were afforded the opportunity to comment on the report.

RESOLVED that updated 2018/19 Corporate Plan, be noted.     

The Council received a report which informed Members of the appointment of the Council’s Chief Executive, Johanna Miller, as the Local Returning Officer for the Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority election to be held on 3rd May, 2018.

It was reported that the Combined Authority had appointed its Chief Executive, Dave Smith, as Returning Officer for the election, but each voting area (Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield) were required to appoint a Local Returning Officer to ensure that the election was administered appropriately in its own area.

Following recent issues surrounding the Combined Authority and the desire of Doncaster and Barnsley Councils to join a Wider Yorkshire devolution model, rather than a smaller South Yorkshire arrangement, a Community Poll was held during December 2017, which overwhelmingly demonstrated that the preference of the people of Doncaster and Barnsley was to join a Wider Yorkshire rather than the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority. 

It was noted that following the outcome of the Community Poll, Ros Jones the Mayor of Doncaster and the Leader of Barnsley Council, both wrote to Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, proposing that the May 2018 election be postponed and that the desire of Doncaster and Barnsley to join a Wider Yorkshire proposition be respected. 

Unfortunately, these discussions had not, to date, been successful and in May 2018, the Combined Authority election would take place at an estimated cost of £2m. It remained the ambition of Doncaster Council, and almost all of the other Local Authorities in Yorkshire, to establish a Wider Yorkshire Combined Authority. In order to achieve this aim, Doncaster Council would need to leave the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority.

In commenting on the report, the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, whilst being supportive of the recommendation, felt that it was unfortunate that  £2m of public money was being spent on the election, when there could have been an interim Mayor for two years, as in Greater Manchester, before Andy Burnham was elected in May last year. The election was nonetheless going ahead, despite the Council’s Community Poll which showed Doncaster residents, alongside the business community, to be firmly in favour of a wider Yorkshire deal.

The Deputy Mayor stated that he was backing Dan Jarvis to be Labour’s Mayoral candidate, not least because he would deliver on the Wider Yorkshire ambitions. 

The Deputy Mayor updated Members in relation to two meetings that had taken place during the last week.  Firstly, the Deputy Mayor reported that he had attended an All Party Parliamentary Group session for the Yorkshire and Humber in the House of Commons, together with 70 other people from across Yorkshire, representing the public and private sectors, trade unions, MPs and the House of Lords.  They had met with Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and all the 18 Councils present had confirmed their support for One Yorkshire, during which the Secretary of State invited Councils to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 81.

(i)         Questions on Notice to the Executive:-

None received for this meeting.

(ii)          Questions without Notice to the Executive and the Chairs of the Audit Committee, Elections and Democratic Structures Committee, Health and Wellbeing Board and Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee.

A.     Questions on Notice

No questions on Notice from Elected Members, had been received for this meeting.

B.     Questions Without Notice

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.2, the Chair of Council sought questions from Elected Members during question time.

A.     Questions to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones

There were no questions put to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones.

B.     Questions to the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, Cabinet Member for Housing and Equalities

There were no questions put to the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, Cabinet Member for Housing and Equalities.

C.    Questions to Councillor Nigel Ball, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Leisure and Culture

Q.  Councillor Cynthia Ransome asked the following question:-

            “My question relates to volunteers for Community Libraries.  When the last administration won an award for creating community libraries, there were certain ones that we kept in the Council; usually, in deprived areas, for the simple reason that we felt that they were a necessity.  Can you please explain why Adwick School allows their pupils to leave at 2.30pm in the afternoon and the Library at Woodlands, which is practically next door, closes at 2.30pm every day.  There is also a notice on the door which says that computers are switched off at 2.15pm.  How does this help the students?”

A.     Councillor Nigel Ball, gave the following response:-

“Thank you very much for your question Councillor. I wasn’t aware of this and I am not aware of when each individual Library opens and closes, but that is something that I am willing to look at and I will come back to you on that.”

D.    Questions to Councillor Joe Blackham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Street Scene and Trading Services

There were no questions put to Councillor Joe Blackham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Street Scene and Trading Services.

E.     Questions to Councillor Rachael Blake, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care

There were no questions put to Councillor Rachael Blake, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.

F.     Questions to Councillor Nuala Fennelly, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools

There were no questions put to Councillor Nuala Fennelly, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools.

G.    Questions to Councillor Chris McGuinness, Cabinet Member for Communities, Voluntary Sector and the Environment

Q.  Councillor Jonathan Wood asked the following question:-

“Chris, you talked about bins being missed and that people can put extra out this week to try and catch up, but what I wasn’t quite clear about for those people obviously that might be listening or viewing on the Internet, is if somebody missed a black bin during the week when it snowed, does that mean when you said that they can put anything in to catch up the following week, that they can put it in black and green if it’s green the following week?  Or does it only mean that they can put the extra black bin waste, the next black bin week, which would mean another two weeks.  So they would have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

A.        Sheffield City Region Combined Authority held on 29th January, 2018.

B.      Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Board held on 18th December, 2017.

C.      South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 22nd January, 2018.

D.      Sheffield City Region Combined Authority/South Yorkshire Pensions Authority Joint Local Pension Board held on 18th January, 2018.

E.      South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 18th January, 2018.

F.      South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 15th December, 2017 and 2nd February, 2018.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the following Joint Authorities, be noted:-

A.        Sheffield City Region Combined Authority held on 29th January, 2018.

B.        Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Board held on 18th December, 2017.

C.      South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 22nd January, 2018.

D.      Sheffield City Region Combined Authority/South Yorkshire Pensions Authority Joint Local Pension Board held on 18th January, 2018.

E.      South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 18th January, 2018.

F.      South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 15th December, 2017 and 2nd February, 2018.

Before formally closing the meeting, the Chair of Council, Councillor George Derx, informed Members that the Data Protection training for Members scheduled after the Council meeting had been postponed.